Search Results (44,704)

The diverse rating scales used by brokerage firms pose significant challenges for aggregating analyst recommendations in financial research. We develop a momentum-based normalization framework that transforms heterogeneous rating changes into standardized sentiment signals using firm-relative, past-only empirical distribution functions with event-based lookback and expanding global quantile classification. Using 68,660 rating events from 270 brokerage firms covering 106 large-cap U.S. stocks (2019–2025), our approach generates statistically significant Buy–Sell spreads at all horizons: 1-month (0.96%, t = 3.07, p = 0.002), 2-month (1.36%, t = 3.07, p = 0.002), and 3-month (1.94%, t = 3.66, p < 0.001). Fama–French six-factor regressions confirm 13.6% annualized alpha for Buy signals (t = 3.81) after controlling for market, size, value, profitability, investment, and momentum factors. True out-of-sample validation on May–September 2025 data achieves 107% retention of in-sample 1-month performance (four of five months positive), indicating robust signal generalization. The framework provides a theoretically grounded and empirically validated methodology for standardizing analyst sentiment suitable for quantitative investment strategies and academic research. Full article

Background/Objectives: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Surgical treatments include breast-conserving therapy (BCT) and mastectomy, often followed by reconstruction, but the impact of reconstruction on locoregional recurrence (LRR) remains unclear. This study evaluated LRR, survival, and risk factors following primary breast reconstruction performed simultaneously with mastectomy compared with mastectomy without reconstruction. Methods: This population-based, retrospective cohort included 2475 women with breast cancer treated between 2004 and 2018 at the Tumor Center and Caritas St. Josef Hospital in Regensburg, Germany. Patients were grouped into not primarily reconstructed, primary autologous reconstruction, primary allogeneic reconstruction, and primary combined reconstruction. Overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and cumulative recurrence rates (CRR) were assessed using Kaplan–Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, nodal status, tumor biology, and adjuvant therapies. Results: Of 14,046 eligible cases, 2475 met inclusion criteria: no primary reconstruction (87%), autologous reconstruction (3.1%), allogeneic reconstruction (9.0%), and combined reconstruction (0.4%). Patients undergoing reconstruction were younger and more likely to receive chemotherapy. The 5-year OS was 71.8% without primary reconstruction, 82.1% after autologous reconstruction, and 90.0% after allogeneic reconstruction. Allogeneic reconstruction was associated with improved OS (HR 0.570, p = 0.015) and RFS (HR 0.669, p = 0.039), whereas autologous reconstruction was associated with higher hazards of LRR and distant metastases compared to no primary reconstruction. Conclusions: The 5-year cumulative LRR was 5.2%, 13.5%, and 4.8%, respectively. Immediate allogeneic reconstruction after mastectomy was therefore associated with favorable survival and recurrence outcomes, while autologous reconstruction was linked to higher LRR and distant metastasis rates in this cohort. The retrospective design, small autologous subgroup, and absence of detailed lifestyle and metabolic data are important limitations of these findings. These associations likely reflect differences in tumor stage, biology, and unmeasured risk factors, and should be interpreted as hypothesis generating. Prospective multicenter studies with detailed risk profiling are needed to clarify the oncologic safety of different reconstructive strategies. Full article

Background: In China, Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) is dominated by sequence type 11 (ST11) harbouring KPC-2, with KL64 displacing KL47 and KL25 emerging. ST859 (ST11 variant) has caused outbreaks, but its epidemiology is unclear. Materials and Methods: A total of 99 non-duplicate CRKP isolates were collected from June to December 2024. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by broth microdilution. The genomic sequences of the strains were obtained using next-generation sequencing technology. Resistance genes, virulence loci, and plasmid replicons were identified with Kleborate, Abricate, and MOB-suite, respectively. Results: ST11 accounted for 63.64% and ST859 for 15.15%. All ST859 were KL19, while ST11 were mainly KL25 (60.32%) and KL64 (26.98%). 76.8% co-harbored carbapenemase and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes, with KPC-2 and CTX-M-65 being the predominant types. Susceptibility rates were 100% to tigecycline, and 78.79% to ceftazidime/avibactam. ST859 CRKP isolates exhibited higher phenotypic resistance to tetracycline and colistin than ST11 CRKP isolates (p < 0.05), and carrying LAP-2, QnrS1, QnrS10, and tet(A) more frequently. ST11-KL25 showed higher resistance to amikacin, gentamicin, and chloramphenicol, with increased prevalence of CTX-M-65, TEM-1, rmtB, catA2, and dfrA14 compared to ST11-KL64 (p < 0.05). IncF was the most prevalent replicon and both ST859 and ST11 CRKP carry conjugative resistance plasmids, and the host range is predominantly Enterobacterales. Conclusions: ST859-KL19 ranks second to ST11 with higher resistance to tetracyclines and colistin. ST11-KL25 may have already displaced ST11-KL64 as the predominant capsular type in Shanghai, with distinct resistance profiles between KL variants. Long-term, multicenter surveillance is urgently needed to delineate the evolutionary trajectory and clinical impact of these emerging clones. Full article

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence, associated risk factors, and ocular health outcomes related to Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity in 161 residents from four Quilombolas communities in the northern region of Tocantins, Brazilian Legal Amazon. Peripheral blood samples were collected and tested by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and/or Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), while a standardized form was used to collect sociodemographic, health, and behavioral data. Statistical analysis, conducted using Epi-Info 3.3.2, considered T. gondii seropositivity as the primary outcome, with a significance level less than 5% (p ≤ 0.05). An overall seroprevalence of 62.11% (100/161) was observed. Key risk factors significantly, as measured by the Odds Ratio (OR), associated with T. gondii seropositivity included being elderly (OR: 4.07, CI: 2.05–8.06, p < 0.01), having cats (OR: 5.56, CI: 2.74–22.27, p < 0.01), a low parental education level (OR: 2.97, CI: 1.46–6.02, p < 0.01), children playing on the ground (OR: 2.50, CI: 1.30–4.82, p < 0.01), and having a home vegetable garden (OR: 3.80, CI: 1.94–7.47, p < 0.01). Regarding ocular health, no conclusive direct association was established between T. gondii seropositivity and specific ocular manifestations when analyzed for children and the elderly separately. Observed ocular problems in the grouped population were primarily linked to age-related comorbidities rather than parasitic infection. High rates of T. gondii seropositivity, driven by specific environmental and socioeconomic factors, highlight the vulnerability of these communities, emphasizing the need for targeted preventive strategies. Full article

Background: Patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (LA-ESCC) have poor prognosis after surgery. Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy (nCIT) and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) may improve outcomes, but their long-term efficacy remains unclear. Methods: This multicenter study analyzed LA-ESCC patients from three Chinese hospitals (2015–2024) who received nCIT or nCRT followed by surgery. Primary endpoint was 3-year overall survival (OS); secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), pathologic complete response (pCR), disease-free survival (DFS), and adverse events. Propensity score matching balanced baseline characteristics. Results: Among 225 patients (87 nCRT, 138 nCIT), matched cohorts (87 per group) showed that nCRT had higher ORR (85.06% vs. 45.98%), T/N downstaging rates (78.16% vs. 58.62%; 85.06% vs. 45.98%), and pCR (37.90% vs. 14.90%) (all p < 0.01). After median follow-up (nCIT: 44.5 months; nCRT: 35.1 months), nCIT improved 3-year OS (75.90% vs. 55.60%) and DFS (66.40% vs. 47.30%) (p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis favored nCRT in N+ or non-cT4 disease. Clinical N stage independently predicted survival. Conclusion: nCIT demonstrates superior survival benefits in LA-ESCC, while nCRT may be more effective for N+ or non-cT4 patients. Further randomized trials are warranted. Full article

Background/Objectives: Glioblastoma (GBM) exhibits heterogeneous, nonlinear invasion patterns that challenge conventional modeling and radiomic prediction. Most deep learning approaches describe the morphology but rarely capture the dynamical stability of tumor evolution. We propose an AI framework that approximates a latent attractor landscape of GBM morphodynamics—stable basins in a continuous manifold that are consistent with reproducible morphologic regimes. Methods: Multimodal MRI scans from BraTS 2020 (n = 494) were standardized and embedded with a 3D autoencoder to obtain 128-D latent representations. Unsupervised clustering identified latent basins (“attractors”). A neural ordinary differential equation (neural-ODE) approximated latent dynamics. All dynamics were inferred from cross-sectional population variability rather than longitudinal follow-up, serving as a proof-of-concept approximation of morphologic continuity. Voxel-level perturbation quantified local morphodynamic sensitivity, and proof-of-concept control was explored by adding small inputs to the neural-ODE using both a deterministic controller and a reinforcement learning agent based on soft actor–critic (SAC). Survival analyses (Kaplan–Meier, log-rank, ridge-regularized Cox) assessed associations with outcomes. Results: The learned latent manifold was smooth and clinically organized. Three dominant attractor basins were identified with significant survival stratification (χ² = 31.8, p = 1.3 × 10⁻⁷) in the static model. Dynamic attractor basins derived from neural-ODE endpoints showed modest and non-significant survival differences, confirming that these dynamic labels primarily encode the morphodynamic structure rather than fixed prognostic strata. Dynamic basins inferred from neural-ODE flows were not independently prognostic, indicating that the inferred morphodynamic field captures geometric organization rather than additional clinical risk information. The latent stability index showed a weak but borderline significant negative association with survival (ρ = −0.13 [−0.26, −0.01]; p = 0.0499). In multivariable Cox models, age remained the dominant covariate (HR = 1.30 [1.16–1.45]; p = 5 × 10⁻⁶), with overall C-indices of 0.61–0.64. Voxel-level sensitivity maps highlighted enhancing rims and peri-necrotic interfaces as influential regions. In simulation, deterministic control redirected trajectories toward lower-risk basins (≈57% success; ≈96% terminal distance reduction), while a soft actor–critic (SAC) agent produced smoother trajectories and modest additional reductions in terminal distance, albeit without matching the deterministic controller’s success rate. The learned attractor classes were internally consistent and clinically distinct. Conclusions: Learning a latent attractor landscape links generative AI, dynamical systems theory, and clinical outcomes in GBM. Although limited by the cross-sectional nature of BraTS and modest prognostic gains beyond age, these results provide a mechanistic, controllable framework for tumor morphology in which inferred dynamic attractor-like flows describe latent organization rather than a clinically predictive temporal model, motivating prospective radiogenomic validation and adaptive therapy studies. Full article

Background: As pediatric head and neck cancer (pHNC) incidence increases, the development of new surgical oncology techniques to reduce morbidity are essential. Intraoperative navigation (iNav) represents the most translatable technology among both the model-comparative and integrative surgical navigation technologies to optimize surgical outcomes. Methods: A scoping review of the literature was performed according to PRISMA guidelines from 1970 to present (February 2025), investigating the use of iNav in cases of pHNC. Patient case details and authors’ perception of iNav’s utility were analyzed. A single-center retrospective case series review (September 2022 to September 2025) of the senior authors’ experience employing iNav in pHNC cases was also performed. Results: The scoping review identified twenty-seven cases of pHNC from sixteen studies that both utilized iNav and met the inclusion criteria. Many of the authors commented favorably on the utility of iNav technology, while concurrently agreeing upon its limitations. The case series review identified five cases of pHNC that met the inclusion criteria. This small case series revealed a 100% R0 resection rate with the use of iNav in four pHNC resections. The fifth case used iNav for biopsy site selection. Conclusions: The results of our scoping review as well as our institutional experience with this technology demonstrate its utility in guiding surgical approach, confirming depth of resection, and navigating marginal assessment. This study was limited by incidental and incomplete reporting of iNav’s clinical application to pHNC; several extensive institutional reports had to be excluded due to insufficiently detailed data linkage. Our review builds upon the existing pediatric surgical literature, anchoring the evidentiary justification for the application of iNav to pediatric head and neck surgery. Full article

Background and Objectives: Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is the primary treatment for patients with resectable, non-metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma and periampullary tumors. Although surgical methods and perioperative management have improved, the procedure still carries a high risk of complications, with postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) being the most significant. This study focuses on identifying current risk factors for POPF after PD in a single HPB center. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data from patients undergoing PD in our department between October 2018 and April 2024. Data included demographics, comorbidities, lifestyle factors, preoperative tests (bilirubin, CA19-9, HbA1c), intraoperative variables (pancreatic texture, duct diameter), and postoperative outcomes. POPF was classified using the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) criteria. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: A total of 118 patients underwent PD (82 males, 36 females; mean age 67 (45–85) years; mean body mass index (BMI) 26.6 kg/m²). POPF occurred in 37 patients (31%), with 27 Grade B (23%) and 10 Grade C (9%). The 30- and 90-day mortality rates were 5% and 12.7%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed associations between POPF and soft pancreas (p = 0.018), c-reactive protein (CRP) on postoperative day (POD) 5 (p = 0.004), and serum amylase on POD 0 (p = 0.008). Diabetes mellitus was associated with a lower incidence of POPF (p = 0.014). Multivariate analysis confirmed CRP on POD 5 (OR 1.007, p = 0.025) and DM (OR 0.254, p = 0.015), as independent factors. ROC analysis identified POD 0 amylase >113.5 U/L (AUC 0.717) and POD 5 CRP >125.3 mg/dL (AUC 0.669) as predictive values. Conclusions: POPF remains an important complication after PD. CRP > 126 mg/dL on POD 5 was associated with POPF and may serve as an adjunctive signal to guide further assessment, including imaging. The observed inverse association with diabetes mellitus is hypothesis-generating and should be interpreted cautiously, considering potential confounding and the influence of center volume, surgeon heterogeneity, and institutional protocols. Full article

The success rate of embryo transfer (ET) is influenced by various factors, including embryo quality, environmental conditions, and recipient cows. This study examines the impact of ET on embryo success rates using embryos produced using the ovum pickup method, with fresh and frozen embryos generated on day 7 after in vitro fertilization and subsequently implanted into recipient cows. The factors that contributed to the success rate of ET were investigated, with a focus on embryo type, parity, and farm management. Furthermore, metabolic profile tests were conducted to determine the factors underlying the observed differences in pregnancy rates across the farms. The analysis revealed that pregnancy rates did not significantly differ according to embryo type or parity. However, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the glucose, cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acid, total protein, globulin, albumin/globulin, and aspartate aminotransferase levels of the recipients. Furthermore, a comparison of farms with high and low pregnancy rates revealed significant differences in the glucose, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, globulin, and albumin/globulin levels (p < 0.05). Differences between farms were associated with the feed management strategy, which highlights the significance of optimal recipient cow management. Full article

Water scarcity is a major constraint to upland rice production, and optimizing drought management to balance yield and quality is critical for sustainable agriculture. This study investigated the effects of three soil water potential (SWP) levels—0 kPa (control), −20 kPa (moderate drought), and −40 kPa (severe drought)—on grain quality, nitrogen metabolism, and endosperm structure in two upland rice varieties (Brazilian upland rice and Zhonghan 3). Compared with the control, moderate drought significantly improved grain quality: whole milled rice recovery increased by 5.3–7.8%, chalky grain rate decreased by 16.1–29.6%, amylose content declined by 8.65–12.19%, and glutelin content rose by 9.3–12.9%. Under moderate drought, nitrogen metabolism appeared to be upregulated, as indicated by increased activities of glutamine synthetase (GS, +18.6%) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH, +14.2%) and higher glutamate content (+21.4%) in Zhonghan 3, with similar but slightly attenuated responses in Brazilian upland rice. Moderate drought was associated with elevated glutelin accumulation and a more compact endosperm microstructure, suggesting a potential link between nitrogen metabolism and grain development. In contrast, severe drought impaired both grain quality and yield. Correlation analysis (n = 12) revealed that the GS/GDH ratio and glutelin content were significantly correlated with improved grain quality—positively with milled rice recovery (r = 0.58* to 0.82**, p < 0.05 or 0.01) and negatively with chalkiness, amylose content, and setback viscosity (r = −0.58* to −0.93**, p < 0.05 or 0.01). These findings indicate that maintaining SWP at −20 kPa represents a feasible strategy to enhance upland rice grain quality, offering a theoretical basis for water-saving, quality-oriented production systems. Full article

Digital storytelling has become a central component of emerging communication strategies, particularly in competitive higher-education environments where audience attention and engagement are increasingly mediated by social platforms. This study evaluates the impact of an emotional storytelling format—Historia(s) de Universidad (HdU)—implemented by the University of Murcia (UMU), comparing its performance with traditional institutional content across Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn. A dataset of 6096 posts (September 2020–September 2023) and 25,636 audiovisual items was analysed using descriptive metrics, negative binomial and quasi-binomial regression models, and a differences-in-differences (DiD) design aligned with the formal launch of HdU in September 2022. The results indicate that emotionally driven storytelling posts consistently outperform institutional content in terms of visibility and interaction: HdU posts nearly double the engagement rate (OR ≈ 2.0) and increase interactions by 80% (RR ≈ 1.8; p < 0.001). The DiD analysis indicating a variation associated with the implementation of HdU with no pre-existing trends. Findings demonstrate that emotional narrative formats constitute an effective strategic tool for digital communication management, reinforcing institutional identity, enhancing stakeholder relationships, and contributing to reputation-building in higher education. The study highlights implications for the design of narrative-driven digital communication and offers pathways for future research combining quantitative performance metrics with qualitative audience insights. The study discusses practical implications for crafting narrative-driven communication strategies and identifies avenues for future research, such as combining quantitative performance data with qualitative audience insights to deepen understanding of storytelling’s impact in university contexts. Full article

We examined the acute effects of flywheel eccentric overload (FEO) on countermovement jumps (CMJs), changes of direction (COD), and isometric mid-thigh pulls (IMTPs) in top-level team sports athletes (three females and seven males). FEO was carried out by performing 3 × 6 reps with 0.025 kg·m² inertia and a 2 min passive rest period. Its post-activation potentiation was compared to a control warm-up. Performance was tested at 0, 3, and 6 min post-intervention. Significant improvements were reported in the COD5m times for the left (F = 8.38, p < 0.001, ES = 1.92) and right legs (F = 11.3, p < 0.001, ES = 2.24), as well as for CMJ height (F = 12.4, p < 0.001, ES = 2.35). Significant differences were observed in COD5m between baseline and 3 min (p < 0.001, ES = 0.99 and p = 0.003, ES = 1.25) and 6 min (p = 0.04, ES = 1.19 and p < 0.001, ES = 1.09) for the left and right legs, respectively. Jump height increased significantly at 3 min (p < 0.001, ES = 1.62) and remained elevated at 6 min (p < 0.001, ES = 1.02). CMJ peak power (CMJPP) decreased significantly (F = 6.4, p = 0.002, ES = 1.68), with a drop at 0 min (p = 0.024, ES = 0.85) and a return to baseline at 3 min (p = 0.002, ES = 1.35). No significant effects were found for the CMJ eccentric rate of force development (CMJRFDecc) or IMTP. It was found that FEO can acutely enhance jumping and changes of direction but not strength in elite team sports athletes. A three-minute rest appears to maximize these effects. Full article

Background and Objectives: Effective pain control after laparoscopic colorectal surgery is crucial for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols. The transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) provides somatic analgesia but lacks visceral coverage. The quadratus lumborum block (QLB) has emerged as an alternative, potentially offering both somatic and visceral blockade, but its superiority is debated. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of QLB versus TAPB in this setting. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, CENTRAL, and Web of Science was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to November 2025. Primary outcomes were 24 h postoperative and intraoperative opioid consumption. Secondary outcomes included pain scores, length of hospital stay (LoS), surgery duration, and adverse events. Standardized mean differences (SMD) and risk ratios (RR) were pooled. Results: Five RCTs involving 520 patients were included. No significant difference was found in 24 h postoperative opioid consumption (SMD: −1.62, 95% CI [−3.45, 0.20]; p = 0.08) or intraoperative opioid consumption (SMD: 0.38, 95% CI [−0.36, 1.12]; p = 0.31). QLB provided better, transient pain relief at rest at 12 h (SMD: −0.30, 95% CI [−0.52, −0.07]; p = 0.01) and during movement at 6 h (SMD: −0.20, 95% CI [−0.49, −0.09]; p = 0.01). No other time points for pain showed significant differences. QLB was associated with a shorter surgery duration (MD: −5.61 min, 95% CI [−10.38, −0.85]; p = 0.02), but not LoS (p = 0.53) or rates of PONV (p = 0.24) or dizziness (p = 0.32). Conclusions: With uncertain evidence, QLB and TAPB showed no significant difference in opioid consumption. QLB demonstrated a statistically significant but transient early analgesic advantage. This heterogeneity may be due to different QLB techniques, warranting further investigation. Full article

Long-term human cultivation activities are the key factors of the vertical distribution and storage dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) in cropland. Based on a 45-year long-term field experiment, this study systematically compared SOC dynamics and carbon storage characteristics in soil profiles (0–200 cm) between cultivated land and adjacent natural forest. The findings reveal the hierarchical regulatory effects of tillage management on the soil carbon pool. The results show that: (1) Under both land use types, SOC content decreased exponentially with depth, but values in cultivated soils were 0.35–1.54% lower than in forest soils at each layer. SOC content in surface soil (0–78 cm) was significantly higher than in the subsoil (78–158 cm) and substratum layers (158–200 cm) (p < 0.01). At equivalent depths, SOC in cultivated land was significantly lower than in forest land (p < 0.01). Over 45 years, the SOC accumulation rate in the surface soil of cropland (0.07 g·kg⁻¹·yr⁻¹) was only half that of forest land (0.14 g·kg⁻¹·yr⁻¹). (2) The controls of soil physicochemical properties on SOC differed with land use: in forest soils, SOC correlated positively with clay content (r = 0.63, p < 0.01), whereas in cultivated soils, SOC was primarily regulated by total nitrogen (r = 0.94, p < 0.01) and sand content (r = 0.60, p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with bulk density (r = −0.55, p < 0.01) and pH value (r = −0.45, p < 0.05). (3) Long-term tillage significantly reshaped soil profile structure, thickening the plough layer from 20 cm to 78 cm. Surface carbon storage reached 20.76 t·ha⁻², an increase of 11.13 t·ha⁻² compared with forest soil (p < 0.01). However, storage decreased by 4.99 t·ha⁻² and 7.60 t·ha⁻² in the subsoil and substratum layers, respectively (p < 0.01). The SOC storage increment rate was 50.95 t·ha⁻²·yr⁻¹ higher than that of forest soil in the surface layer but 46.81 t·ha⁻²·yr⁻¹ and 11.12 t·ha⁻²·yr⁻¹ lower in deeper layers. These results confirm that cultivation alters soil structure and material cycling, enhancing carbon enrichment in surface soils while accelerating depletion of deeper carbon pools. This provides new insights into the vertical differentiation mechanisms of SOC under long-term agricultural management. Full article

Background: Probiotic supplementation for very preterm infants is a common practice in many neonatal units. Assessing the effects of early postnatal exposure to probiotics on long-term neurodevelopment, growth, and atopy-related outcomes is important. Extremely preterm (EP: <28 weeks) infants enrolled in our previously reported randomized trial (SiMPro) comparing short-term effects of single (SS: B. breve M-16V) versus triple-strain (TS: B. breve M-16V, B. longum subsp. infantis-M63, B. longum subsp. longum-BB536) probiotic provided a unique opportunity to study this issue. Methods: This follow-up study assessed the five-year outcomes of SiMPro trial infants, including neurodevelopment (cognition (Full Scale Intelligence Quotient/ FSIQ using WPPSI-IV), behavior (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), executive function (BRIEF–P)), growth (anthropometry) and blood pressure (BP). Atopy-related outcomes were evaluated at six to seven years using the ISAAC questionnaire. A linear mixed model was used for longitudinal outcomes. Impairment indicators were modeled using logistic regression and adjusted for Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) centiles. Results: Follow-up rates (SS: 89.2% versus TS: 95%), neurodevelopmental outcomes [severe impairment (FSIQ < 70): SS: 7.4% versus TS: 4.3%; p = 0.68], growth, BMI, and BP were comparable between the SS and TS groups. The total difficulty score or BRIEF–P executive indices, disability rates (none: 66.7% versus 55.4%), and atopy-related outcomes were comparable between groups. Conclusions: Both TS and SS Bifidobacterium probiotic formulations were safe, with comparable neurodevelopmental, growth, and atopy-related outcomes at school age. Full article